PBA: Player of the Week Bolick determined to lead NLEX to deep playoff run

MANILA — Robert Bolick is determined to lead NLEX to a deep run in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs, as he wants the Road Warriors to shed their tag as perennial underperformers. 

Their bid got off to a strong start as they defeated Phoenix in Game 1 of their best-of-5 quarterfinals series over the weekend.

Bolick led the way anew for NLEX en route to being named PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period of Oct. 21 to 25.

“Sabi ko sa team na challenge to na ‘Kung totoo ba na sinasabi ng tao na ‘Introvoys’ tayo. Patay,'” Bolick said. “Pero pag pinatunayan natin (na hindi), makukuha natin respeto ng fans.

“So kung gusto namin makuha ng respeto ng fans sa PBA or sa amin sa NLEX, pakita namin na deserve namin na nandito kami sa No. 1,” added the early frontrunner for the Best Player of the Conference award.

Bolick was selected by Press Corps members for the weekly honor—his third for the season—over San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo, Barangay Ginebra’s Troy Rosario and TNT’s Calvin Oftana.

His week actually started off on a wrong foot when a basket interference he committed in the final seconds led to NLEX’s 135-133 loss to San Miguel at the close of the group stage despite a 20-point fourth quarter lead.

But the defeat didn’t prevent the Road Warriors from taking top spot in Group A, setting up a best-of-five quarterfinal showdown with the Fuel Masters, who placed fourth in Group B.

Bolick tallied 20 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals to help NLEX hold off Phoenix’s comeback with a 97-92 victory at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.